Bow Valley Parkway to johnston canyon

50km Round-Trip back to Banff
This is the most popular ride for road cyclists in the Bow Valley, and one of the very best road-biking rides in Canada. The Bow Valley Parkway, or Highway 1A, is the old highway between Banff and Lake Louise, and has relatively little traffic.

There are nice rolling hills along the way in both directions. You are gaining elevation overall on the way to Johnston Canyon, and generally have a headwind on the way there, which usually means a tailwind on the way home (no guarantees!).

If you feel like riding further than Johnston Canyon (25km), you can also use Castle Junction (30 km), Baker Creek (45 km) and Lake Louise (58 km) as good turn-around points. All have rest stops with food, bathrooms and water refills.

Parks Canada has yet to announce the Spring/Fall closure of the Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Johnston Canyon for 2025. For updated information click here.

Directions from Banff Townsite:

• From Banff townsite, you head towards the Trans-Canada highway on Mount Norquay Road

• Turn left on Vermillion Lakes Road (before highway overpass)

• Continue to end of Vermillion Lakes road and onto bike path

• Bike path passes through two gates and ends at Highway 1A

• Turn left onto the highway and continue on this road toward Lake Louise